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 At the Grand Prix
No one remains indifferent to the Grand Prix, which is run at Longchamp every year on the last Sunday in June. Even those with no interest in horse racing are curious to know the favorites before the race and the winner afterward. It is therefore understandable why the huge crowd of spectators flocked once again to the vast racecourse in the Bois de Boulogne.
Moreover, during the race, they were to witness an incident that almost proved tragic for the jockeys and, upsetting all expectations, caused a pleasant surprise for some and a great disappointment for many punters.
The favorites at the start were Belfonds, Ptolemy, and Aquatinte II. However, this filly, approaching the bend at the Moulin de Longchamp, stumbled and fell, taking two other horses with her. There was a moment of hesitation among the competitors who remained standing. Reine Lumière, Baron J.-A. de Rothschild's filly, took advantage of this. The other favorites could not hold their own against her. She crossed the post ahead of Terre Neuvien and Dark Diamond.
Meanwhile, people crowded around the fallen jockeys. S. Donoghue, riding Aquatinte II, was rescued with a dislocated shoulder. The other two had only received minor concussions. More of a scare, in short, than any harm. This allowed the fortunate punters, few in number, to frankly rejoice in their success. Especially since Reine Lumière, like Transvaal the previous year, brought in high odds, unexpected odds: 1,201 francs. 50 for 10 francs; 360 francs for 5 francs.
It is worth noting in this regard that the predictions usually given by Le Petit Journal are among the best in the French press. They were disappointed at this year's Grand Prix because of this unexpected fall. But it remains true that those who rely on them are, more often than not, among the winners.
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